Activist Tornike razmadze fined GEL 3,000 for allegedly insulting Russian propagandist. In a video on social media, Tornike commented on a clip from a broadcast featuring Margarita Simonyan and Vladimir Solovyov, in which they are discussing Georgian King Erekle II “coming on his knees and begging Russia to take Georgia under their protection”. The case is part of a larger censorship campaign of the Hate Speech Division of the Georgian MIA.

Iran’s Ambassador to Georgia proposes that Georgian companies enter the Afghan market, using Iran’s transit infrastructure. The Ambassador of Iran to Georgia, Ali Mojani, noted on social media that a report has been prepared to assist Georgian companies to understand the Afghan market and identify new trade partners. According to the Ambassador, this proposal emerged following an online meeting with members and partners of the Afghan trade network, during which discussions focused on deepening economic cooperation with Georgia and transporting goods via Iran.

🇬🇪🇪🇺Day 698 of continuous protests in Georgia. 📸Mo Se #GeorgiaProtests

The head of the Special Penitentiary Service in Georgia, Giorgi Pataridze, recommended for suspension after alleged beating of crime figure Davit Peikrishvili in Gldani Prison. Peikrishvili alleges that he was assaulted by newly placed cellmates, criminal authorities Vato Kipiani and Avtandil "Katsro" Bilanishvili, and suffered four broken ribs and skull injuries. Kipiani was accused of plotting to kill Peikrishvili and his twin brother in 2020-2021 but escaped conviction. Bilanishvili has been described by critical Georgian media as a closely linked to Bidzina Ivanishvili's son, Bera, who reportedly initially helped him escape prison. Both figures have been linked in the press to interfering in the elections in Georgia, by mobilising "street resources" and acting as polling station "coordinators". The case adds to the recent series of allegations of s**ual and physical assault in Georgia's prisons, following Giorgi Davitadze's allegation that he was r**ed by prison staff.

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🇬🇪26 October marks two years since the parliamentary elections in Georgia. The elections were preceded by widespread violations on human rights and media freedom, as well as pressure on civil society. Local and international observers have reported numerous cases of violations, including lack of anonymity, physical violence at the polling stations, voter intimidation and pressure towards state-employed workers and ethnic minorities, “carousel” voting, ballot stuffing, coordination of voters, violence towards observers, and presence of unauthorised individuals at polling stations. Mass violations were also noted in the OSCE/ODIHR report. "Our final report highlights many problems that negatively affected the integrity of these elections and undermined public trust in the process," noted Owen Murphy, Head of the ODIHR mission. According to official Central Election Committee results, the Georgian Dream received 54% of the votes. Independent exit polls, conducted by Edison Research and Harris X, reported that the ruling party only received 41 and 44 percentage points, respectively. The opposition, led by Georgia’s Fifth President Salome Zourabishvili, refused to recognise the Georgian Dream’s victory and boycotted the results. The majority of the opposition parties have not since claimed their seats in the parliament. On 28 November 2024, Georgian Dream’s Prime Minister Kobakhdize announced that Georgia’s accession talks with the EU would be frozen until 2028, triggering mass anti-government protests, which have been taking place daily to this day. Currently, the ruling “Georgian Dream” is attempting to ban five major opposition parties in Georgia at the Constitutional Court. Additionally, the de facto Georgian Dream government has passed a law preventing the Georgian diaspora from voting in the parliamentary elections.

What happens when political power takes precedence over constitutional principles? Georgian Dream’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, who is a constitutional lawyer by training, now argues that banning opposition parties “is necessary to restore Georgia’s democratic health.” He reiterated the narrative that the opposition represents “foreign agents”. The Constitutional Court of Georgia is currently considering the Georgian Dream’s constitutional lawsuit requesting the prohibition of five opposition parties, including the United National Movement, Lelo/Strong Georgia, Coalition for Change, the Federalists, Gakharia - For Georgia.

Students have won in Serbia! Another autocratic regime has fallen!🇷🇸 Congratulations from Georgia!🇬🇪

🇬🇪“Georgia without Ivanishvili!” Thousands have gathered in Tbilisi to protest against Ivanishvili’s one-party rule and the ban of opposition parties. The rally is part of a campaign launched by the Opposition party Alliance, titled “Georgia without Ivanishvili! Georgia deserves better”, which is planned to culminate on 28 November, marking two years of continuous protests in Georgia. Day 697 of continuous protests in Georgia. Video by MO SE. #GeorgiaProtests

🇬🇪🇪🇺Saturday is the march day in Tbilisi. “Georgia without Ivanishvili’s one-party rule” Day 696 of continuous protests in Georgia Video by Mo Se. #GeorgiaProtests

🇬🇪🇪🇺Day 695 of continuous protests in Georgia. 📸MO SE #GeorgiaProtests

🇬🇪🇪🇺Day 694 of continuous protests in Georgia. 📸MO SE #GeorgiaProtests